Skyward Sword Items and Gear Guide

Skyward Sword Items & Gear Guide

Skyward Sword's biggest and most promising innovation for the Zelda series is its effort to give us more intuitive control over Link's inventory using Wii Motion Plus.

We've got a detailed description of the new control scheme over at our Skyward Sword Game Controls guide, but we're also creating this page as an index for our Skyward Sword Walkthrough in order to fully document all the functions and locations of the various items and gear you'll collect throughout the game.

Of course, Skyward Sword offers another new layer to its items system: Item Upgrades. If you're looking for a list of item upgrade paths, check out our Skyward Sword Item Upgrades Guide for specific details about the costs and materials required to improve your weapons.

Skyward Sword Story Guides:

Table of Contents

Swords: Link's Weapon of Choice

Your sword is your most trusted weapon, and as such it's the most important piece of your inventory. As you progress through the game, your sword gains different powers and abilities - some old favorites, others brand-new to the series.

Practice Sword

Location: SkyloftFunctions: Sword slash, stab Spin Attack, Jump AttackUpgrades: UnknownHow to obtain: When you discover your Loftwing has gone missing, head to the Sparring Hall to train with the knight instructor there. If you successfully complete your training, he'll allow you to take a sword with you to track down your bird.Description: This is the game's starting sword, used by knights of Skyloft to protect the land from monsters.

Goddess Sword

Location: Skyloft ShrineFunctions: Skyward Strike, Dowsing, Fi-CaptioningNext stage:Skyward SwordHow to obtain: Once you wake up after Zelda gets sucked down to the surface, follow Fi past a series of obstacles and into the Goddess Statue to access the Skyloft Shrine. At the heart of the shrine, withdraw the sword from its pedestal and it's all yours.Description: This is the sword left in Skyloft by Her Grace, the goddess. It has sacred powers the hero can use against evil. Its guardian spirit, Fi, is the hero's servant and guide.

Goddess Longsword

Previous form: Goddess SwordNext form: Goddess White SwordHow to obtain: Infuse your blade with Farore's FlameAdded effect: Longer reach and increased attack powerDescription: Thanks to the power of Farore, this blade has a sharpened edge that deals more damage to your foes.

Goddess White Sword

Previous form: Goddess LongswordNext form: Master SwordHow to obtain: Infuse your blade with Nayru's FlameAdded effect: Increased Dowsing capabilitiesDescription: Thanks to the power of Nayru, your sword can now hunt down more objects with its Dowsing capabilities. You'll need this ability in the coming trials.

Master Sword

Previous form: Goddess White SwordNext form: True Master SwordHow to obtain: Infuse your blade with Din's FlameAdded effect: Power to repel evilDescription: With the power of Din, your sword now contains the power to repel evil!

Shields: Going on the Defense

Shields play a much bigger role in Skyward Sword than in previous Zelda games thanks to a new mechanic: the Shield Meter. As you block attacks with your shield, it'll take damage, indicated by a shield bar just below your hearts. When the meter runs out, your shield will shatter and you'll have to buy a new one to replace it. Different shields come with different durability levels and weaknesses, so keep up-to-date with the latest equipment to ensure you'll survive!

To swap out your shield, hold down the minus (-) button to open a radial inventory screen, then use your Wii Remote as a virtual mouse to highlight the shield you'd like to equip. Release the button to equip the selected shield. You can also select a shield you already have equipped to remove it.

Wooden Shield

Location: Skyloft BazaarWeaknesses: Fire, melee attacks, magicDurability: WeakUpgrades:Banded ShieldHow to obtain: You can purchase a Wooden Shield at the Skyloft Bazaar for 50 Rupees.Description: This is a basic Skyloft knight's shield. It's made of wood, so it burns and breaks easily. Upgrade it at the Scrap Shop to improve its durability.

Iron Shield

Location: Skyloft BazaarWeaknesses: Melee attacks, electricity, magicDurability: ModerateUpgrades: Reinforced ShieldHow to obtain: You can purchase an Iron Shield at the Skyloft Bazaar Gear Shop for 100 Rupees once you've beaten the Skyview Temple.Description: This is an iron shield used sometimes by Skyloft knights. It's a bit hardier than a Wooden Shield since it's made of metal, but it still breaks if it takes too much punishment.

Sacred Shield

Location: Skyloft BazaarWeaknesses: Melee attacksDurability: ModerateUpgrades:Divine ShieldHow to obtain: Purchase at Skyloft Bazaar Gear Shop after beating the Imprisoned for the first time.Description: This shield has a short Shield Meter, but the meter gradually replenishes thanks to divine magic. It resists most types of attacks with high durability.

Hylian Shield

Location: Lanayru GorgeWeaknesses: NoneDurability: IndestructibleUpgrades: NoneHow to obtain: Complete nine boss battles consecutively in the Thunder Dragon's battle challengeDescription: This shield is given to the most trusted defenders of the absolute power the Goddess protected. It's virtually indestructible.

Equip Items: The Bread and Butter

Equip items are held in your Item Pouch and equipped to the B button when active. To equip an item, hold down the B button to open your Item Pouch and move the Wii Remote like a virtual mouse to select an item from the radial inventory list that appears on-screen. Once you've highlighted an item, release the B button and you'll equip that item.

When you first equip an item, Link will deploy it immediately. While an item is deployed, you can press the B button quickly to put it away, or use it by following the item-specific control commands (see our Skyward Sword Game Controls guide for more details). While you have no item deployed, quickly tapping the B button will bring out your currently-equipped item.

It takes some getting used to, especially for veterans of Twilight Princess's Wii version, but it's a snappy and intuitive item scheme.

Slingshot

Location: Faron WoodsFunctions: Fire weak short-range projectilesUpgrade:ScattershotHow to obtain: The Kikwi elder, Bucha, gives you this Slingshot to use against monsters as you hunt down the missing Kikwi.Description: This Slingshot looks like a kid's toy, but it can stun enemies and even take out some small fry such as Keese. Its seeds don't fly very far, but they're strong enough to strike certain switches.

Beetle

Location: Skyview TempleFunctions: Remote-controlled drone, can travel to hard-to-reach-placesUpgrade:Hook Beetle*How to obtain: Defeat the Stalfos in the egg-shaped structure near the heart of the Skyview Temple.Description: This mechanical marvel can fly anywhere you can guide it. It can only travel for a limited time, but it's useful in snipping spiderwebs, cutting through Baba stems, and striking out-of-reach switches.
*This upgrade is required to complete the game. See the Item Upgrades Guide for more details.

Bug Net

Location: Beedle's AirshopFunctions: Catch insectsUpgrade: Big Bug NetHow to obtain: Purchase for 50 RupeesDescription: This is a basic net for catching bugs. Once you capture one, it gets added to your Collection Screen and you can use it as an ingredient for special Potions!

Bombs

Location: Earth TempleFunctions: Roll bombs, toss bombsUpgrade: NoneHow to obtain: Given to you by Ledd along with the Bomb Bag as thanks for helping him fight off monsters in the Earth Temple.Description: Once you get a Bomb Bag, you can store and carry Bomb Flowers for deployment whenever you wish. Now you can blow up objects without having to worry so much about the Bombs exploding mid-delivery!

Gust Bellows

Location: Lanayru Mining FacilityFunctions: Unleash a gush of windUpgrade: NoneHow to obtain: Dungeon item of the Lanayru Mining Facility.Description: The Gust Bellows contains the swirling winds, and if you unleash them you can blow enemies and certain environmental features away! Use this to uncover certain secrets in the dungeons...

Whip

Location: Ancient CisternFunctions: Lash out at enemies and certain itemsUpgrades: NoneHow to obtain: Dungeon item of the Ancient Cistern.Description: With the Whip, you gains a weapon with a longer reach than your sword. It's a bit erratic to control, but anything caught within range is sure to get a shock to the system.

Clawshots

Location: Nayru's Silent RealmFunctions: Latch onto certain surfaces or enemies and pull yourself to them (or them to you)Upgrade: NoneHow to obtain: Complete the trial in the Nayru's Silent Realm.Description: The Clawshots let you climb up treacherous towers, cliffs, and other terrifying heights with relative ease. They work in much the same way as their predecessors in Twilight Princess.

Bow

Location: Lanayru Sandship Functions: Fire powerful long-range projectilesUpgrade: Iron BowHow to obtain: Dungeon item in the Sandship.Description: Link's always had a bow and arrows as part of his inventory, but now they're stronger than ever. Pick off enemies from a distance, and if you're good enough you can even take them out from much closer...

Gear: Key Items for Your Quest

There are a few other items that you can't really use or equip the old-fashioned way, but are important to the story and gameplay nonetheless. You'll find most of them in the Gear Menu (depicted below).

Equip Gear

As the name implies, Equip Gear refers to Gear that you can "equip" as standard items in certain situations. Sometimes this will involve pressing the B button, just like it does for your normal Equip Items, but oftentimes they only work in certain contexts, like swimming or playing the Harp.

You'll find Equip Gear at the bottom-right portion of the Gear Screen.

Sailcloth

Location: SkyloftFunctions: Glide, parachute while skydiving, catch updraftsUpgrade: NoneHow to obtain: Once you win the birdriding competition during the Wing Ceremony, Zelda will give you this Sailcloth as a memento.Description: This Sailcloth was given to you by Zelda - treasure it dearly! You can use it to glide short distances while jumping, to catch updrafts of air to gain altitude, or to slow your descent while skydiving.

Digging Mitts

Location: Eldin VolcanoFunctions: Dig through soft earth to find treasureUpgrade:Mogma Mitts*How to obtain: Given to you by a Mogma so you can unearth the pieces of the key to the Earth Temple.Description: These gloves resemble a mole's claws, and can be used to dig for buried treasure like the pieces of the key to the Earth Temple. Use them in conjunction with the Goddess Sword's Dowsing feature to track down important objects.
*This upgrade is required to complete the game. See the Item Upgrades Guide for more details.

Goddess's Harp

Location: Temple of TimeFunctions: Play songs for various effectsMelodies: Ballad of the Goddess, Farore's Courage, Nayru's Wisdom, Din's Power, Song of the HeroHow to obtain: From Zelda when you meet her at the Temple of Time.Description: This harp was passed down to Zelda from the Goddess, but has now been entrusted to you. Learn magical melodies to help you complete your quest down on the surface!

Water Dragon's Scale

Location: Farore's Silent RealmFunctions: Allows Link to swim freely underwaterUpgrade: NoneHow to obtain: Complete the trial in the Silent Realm of the Forest.Description: With this prized scale from the Water Dragon, you can swim underwater, as well as gain the acrobatic abilities of the Water Dragon.

Fireshield Earrings

Location: Silent Realm of the VolcanoFunctions: Protects you from heat damageUpgrade: NoneHow to obtain: Complete the trial in the Silent Realm of the Volcano.Description: If you enter superhot areas without some protective gear, you'll catch fire and burn up! These red earrings will guard your hearts from heat-related damage.

Pouches & Satchels

Pouches and Satchels are for storing your ammunition and back-up items. Since you can only hold a limited number of objects in each to start, you may want to increase their capacity over the course of the game.

Adventure Pouch

Location: SkyloftFunctions: Holds your secondary items (shields, potions, etc.)Upgrades:Adventure Pouch ExpansionHow to obtain: Given to you by Fledge after receiving the Hero's Tunic.Description: The Adventure Pouch holds all kinds of backup supplies for ambitious adventurers. For you, this means shields, bottles, and occasionally some other stuff as well... You'll receive it as a gift before you take your first trip down to the surface world. It can only hold a certain number of items at a time, so be sure to make good use of the Item Check in the Skyloft Bazaar to swap out items as you need them.

Seed Satchel

Location: Faron WoodsFunctions: Holds Deku Seeds for your SlingshotUpgrades:Extra Seed SatchelHow to obtain: Given to you by Bucha along with the Slingshot.Description: The Seed Satchel holds all your Deku Seeds, ammunition for your Slingshot. You can only hold a limited amount at the start, so be sure to increase its capacity whenever you can!

Bomb Bag

Location: Earth TempleFunctions: Holds Bombs and Bomb FlowersUpgrades:Extra Bomb BagHow to obtain: Given to you by Ledd along with some Bombs in the Earth Temple.Description: The Bomb Bag holds all your Bombs. You can only hold a limited amount at the start, so be sure to increase its capacity whenever you can!

Quiver

Location: SandshipFunctions: Holds arrowsUpgrades:Extra QuiverHow to obtain: Obtained alongside the Bow as the dungeon item in the Sandship.Description: The Quiver holds the arrows for your Bow. You can expand it by buying and upgrading additional quivers at the Skyloft Bazaar.

Medals

Medals are brand-new additions to the series that add elements of customization to the experience that are reminiscent of classic role-playing games. When equipped in your Adventure Pouch, Medals will bestow various effects, from enhancing your health to letting you see different things on your map screen. Remember, they only work when present in your Adventure Pouch. You can swap out items in the pouch at the Item Check in Skyloft's Bazaar.

Life Medal

Location: Beedle's Airship ShopFunctions: Adds one Heart Container to your life meterHow to obtain: Purchase from Beedle's Airship Shop for 800 Rupees; Goddess Cube ChestDescription: The Life Medal adds a Heart Container to your life meter, but of course it takes up a spot in your Adventure Pouch, so the additional life doesn't come free!

Treasure Medal

Location: Northeast islandFunctions: Increases rate of appearance of TreasuresHow to obtain: Goddess Cube ChestDescription: The Treasure Medal makes the Treasures enemies occasionally drop appear more frequently. Now you can stock up on extra items to use for upgrades and sell as loot.

Heart Medal

Location: Various sky islandsFunctions: Increases rate of appearance of Recovery HeartsHow to obtain: Goddess Cube ChestDescription: The Heart Medal makes Recovery Hearts appear from both enemies and grass more frequently. These are both important functions if you want to stay alive in the later stages of the game! In Hero Mode, wearing one of these is the only way to make hearts appear at all.

Rupee Medal

Location: Various sky islandsFunctions: Increases rate of appearance of RupeesHow to obtain: Goddess Cube ChestDescription: The Rupee Medal makes Rupees appear from both enemies and grass more frequently. This will help you stock up on cash for potions, new gear, and upgrades!

Cursed Medal

Location: Batreaux's HouseFunctions: Increases Rupee and Treasure frequency, but locks your Adventure PouchHow to obtain: Give Batreaux 30 Gratitude Crystals.Description: The Cursed Medal increases the rate at which you find Rupees and Treasures in the field when stored in your Adventure Pouch. As an unfortunate side effect, however, it also prevents you from using anything in your Adventure Pouch, such as Potions.

Potions

Potions are drinkable brews that you can store in your Empty Bottles for use in the field. You can access them via your Adventure Pouch and gulp them down while moving in real time. They bestow a number of different effects based on the type, and if you visit the Infusion Shop you can mix them to make them even better.

Heart Potion

Location(s): Potion ShopFunctions: Restores up to eight of your heartsUpgrades:Heart Potion +How to obtain: Purchase from the Potion Shop for ?? Rupees.Description: The Heart Potion is this game's Red Potion. In its original form, it restores your life meter up to eight hearts.

Stamina Potion

Location(s): Potion ShopFunctions: Prevents your Stamina from depleting for a short timeUpgrades:Stamina Potion +How to obtain: Purchase from the Potion Shop for ?? Rupees.Description: The Stamina Potion is this game's Green Potion. In its original form, it gives you a short burst of energy that keeps your Stamina from depleting.

Air Potion

Location(s): Potion ShopFunctions: Prevents your Oxygen Gauge from dropping for a short timeUpgrades:Air Potion +How to obtain: Purchase from the Potion Shop for ?? Rupees.Description: The Air Potion is this game's Blue Potion. Drinking it will keep your Air Meter from depleting while underwater for a short amount of time.

Revitalizing Potion

Location(s): Sealed Grounds, Potion ShopFunctions: Fully reverses damage to your equipped shield and restores up to four of your heartsUpgrades:Revitalizing Potion +How to obtain: Found alongside Empty Bottle 2; purchase from the Potion Shop for ??? Rupees.Description: The Revitalizing Potion serves a dual-purpose. Not only does it replenish four units of your life meter, it also fully repairs your equipped shield's Shield Gauge!

Guardian Potion

Location(s): Potion ShopFunctions: Reduces the amount of damage you receive from enemy attacks for a short timeUpgrades:Guardian Potion +How to obtain: Purchase from the Potion Shop for ??? Rupees.Description: The Guardian Potion reduces the amount of damage you receive from enemy blows by half for a short period of time.

Fairy

Location: EverywhereFunctions: Revives you and restores six heartsUpgrades: NoneHow to obtain: Nab a Fairy in your Empty Bottle in the field/Description: These teensy sprites love to heal adventurers, but in order to make use of their revitalizing powers, you'll have to capture them in bottles. This they don't like, but it's the only way to unleash the full extent of their powers.

Empty Bottles

Empty Bottles are all-purpose containers for basically anything you can scoop up in the field. Traditionally they're used for potions, but you can also scoop up fairies, certain other substances, and other surprising things.

Empty Bottle 2

Empty Bottle 3

Location: The SkyContains: Mushroom SporesHow to obtain: You'll receive this from Parrow so you can heal Orielle's wounded Loftwing.

Empty Bottle 4

Location: Fire SanctuaryContains: NothingHow to obtain: Return to the first encounter with the Magmanos with the Mogma Mitts and dig your way to a watery bulb. Use this bulb to defeat the Magmanos to reveal a lower area where you can access a ledge with a chest atop it containing this Empty Bottle.